This nicely restored 1956 T-Bird has been part of a museum collection for the past 10 years. The underbody was refinished during the restoration process and shows very well. A front disc brake conversion was also done, which is a significant improvement over the original drum brakes. The engine was upgraded to dual carburetors during the restoration process as well.
The Thunderbird achieved its goal, outselling its main competitor by an incredible 23:1 ratio for 1955, with 16,155 units sold compared to just 700 of the other model. Building on this success, minimal changes were made for the 1956 model, with the most notable being the relocation of the spare tire to a Continental rear bumper-style, switching to a 12-volt electrical system, and adding functional vents in the front fenders.
The 312-cubic-inch engine, featured in this car, was an upgrade over the standard 292-cubic-inch V-8 in 1956, as was the new porthole hardtop.
The bodywork remains excellent, with fine panel gaps and fit, while the Colonial White paint is in very nice condition with only minor imperfections. The matching white hardtop looks great, with no scratches, and there is no soft top. The front and rear chrome bumpers retain a great shine, with no major scratches or corrosion, and the trim shows only a few early signs of pitting.
The T-Bird dashboard still looks fantastic, and all gauges are in good working order except for the original clock. The headlights, taillights, turn signals, two-speed vacuum wipers, and horn all function properly.
An aftermarket AM/FM radio was installed by the previous owner, maintaining the classic look of the dash while delivering great sound. The data plate indicates this is an original 312-cubic-inch V-8 car with a four-barrel carburetor and three-speed automatic transmission. During the restoration process, the engine was upgraded to dual carburetors. The engine runs strong and sounds great through the dual exhaust system that exits through the rear bumper.
This car runs on a 12-volt system, and the engine bay is in clean overall condition with no visible rust. It was undercoated some years ago and is in clean, lightly used condition. The fuel gauge and tachometer are currently inoperable. On the road, the car has plenty of power for modern highway speeds and shifts smoothly. Adding to its drivability and comfort, it is equipped with power steering, disc front brakes, power windows, power seat, and aftermarket gauges. The Michelin P215/75 R15 whitewall tires have good tread life and look great with the 15-inch wheels and wire hubcaps.
Inside, the red bench seats with white trim, matching inner door panels, red metal dashboard, white three-spoke steering wheel, and red carpet all look clean, with some typical minor wear but no major flaws. It’s clear this Thunderbird has lived a good life and been well cared for, with only honest wear showing from its careful use. A floor-mounted shifter and two aftermarket gauges mounted below the dash complete the interior.
